A long journey to become an author,Days of soul searching and hard work.The words need to be enticing and clear,A bridge to the reader’s heart.A movie camera sweeps across scenes,So does a book’s point of view. One point of view shows one angle,While changing points of view reveal more.

To be lost in a book is truly a gift,An escape from the mundane and boring.A visit to far away places can beAn adventure to open your mind’s eye.

Once completed, a book is a treasure,A symbol of the author’s hopes and dreams.A confectioner’s delight to be tasted and savored,To be remembered by the many or just a few.

I just found this and had to share it again. Toot my own horn.

The Dead Game by Susanne Leist

The Dead Game

By Susanne Leist

This book, “The Dead Game” would make an excellent horror movie. I just could not get enough of it and would love to see it on the silver screen. In fact, I think it would be even more fantastic in 3 dimensional.

Let me start by saying: I read this in the dark, along with one light on and in a big house. Wait, did I mention I was alone? I might suggest that you might not want to do that. I’m just sayin…

Just let me be frank with you here. Okay, wait. I still want to be me. Here goes. I honestly love watching TV, and I know what would make for a good show or movie. And as I was reading this, I was just so totally freaking out all through it, I could totally visualize everything. I know this book would be amazing as a Movie, you seriously need to read it, because you know it goes. When they turn books into Movies, they ruin them. And if the words are this good, you need to read them now!

Another thing that I loved about this book, was the fact that it is portrayed in Oasis, Florida. As most of you know, I am I currently live in Florida. So I love it when books put Florida, or Ohio on the map, I’m in.

This book, “The Dead Game” has Vampires, Beachfront property, a scary haunted mansion, dead bodies, romance and of course people. What a unique kind of mix.

But let me tell you, never ever go to a place called: “End house” and never attend a party on a Friday night where the invitation envelopes are black. I mean if that doesn’t just say: “It’s going to get weird.” As a warning, then nothing will.

I was so impressed, with “The Dead Game”, I couldn’t put it down. I give it five stars, it was just that exciting. If you’re anything like me, and enjoy horror, with a kick, then you need to read this. And you better be ready to get comfortable, because you’re not going to want to put this book down! It’s just that enjoyable.

My Questions for Susanne:

What made you decide to write this book?

I have always been an avid reader. I grew up on Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. In recent years, I began to read paranormal books. They bring fantasy and the surreal to life. But few combine paranormal with the classic murder mystery. I decided to write a paranormal, murder mystery of my own. It’s the type of book that I search for and love to read. Seven long years later, The Dead Game was born.

The Dead Game has dead bodies and suspects like a traditional murder mystery. However, it also has humans, vampires, and vampire derivatives. And don’t forget the haunted house—we must have one of these.

What are you working on now?

The Dead Game is the first book of three books. The first book resolves the murder mystery, but at the same time, opens a Pandora box of new mysteries. Its surprise ending will lead to more surprises.

I have just begun to write the second book. I have my outline and notes ready and waiting. My writing often leads me in unknown directions so I won’t know how the book will end until it does. But so far, the second book is slated to resolve the mysteries of The Dead in the United States. The last book will follow The Dead and their deadly activities abroad.

What are your hobbies?

I love to swim and read books.

Who is/are your favorite Author(s)?

The murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie was the first murder mystery I read. I was ten years old. Soon after, I read most of her collection. And she had one big collection. My love for murder mysteries continued with Arthur Conan Doyle and Alistair Maclean. These books taught me how to analyze clues and crime scenes.

Today, my favorite authors are Brad Meltzer and Linda Fairstein. Brad Meltzer’s Zero Game prompted me to write my own book. He doesn’t write in a pompous way. He follows through with the plot and clues. I was inspired.

What education have you had?

My first career was in Finance. I have an M.B.A. in Finance. I worked in the fields of commodities, financial analysis, and budgeting. The creative side of me felt trapped and wanted to be set free. I listened and wrote my first book, The Dead Game, a paranormal mystery/thriller with vampires and human vampires.

I am married with two beautiful daughters. My oldest is married and is a buyer. My second has just graduated from college.

My life is complete.

What do you suggest for anyone thinking of or wanting to write a book?

The best advice for a new writer is to have everything in place before you launch your book. I had nothing ready when I was told that my book was being published. I had to learn how to use Twitter, Facebook, and Google. I created blogs. I read articles and books about marketing books. I now have blogs on Tumblr, Blogspot, and WordPress. It was a year later before I was able to sit back and take a breath.

My advice to a new author is to have everything in place before your book is published. Blogs and online accounts should be open and ready. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone but an anticipated event.

Are you familiar with Oasis, Florida?

There could be a town in Florida, where residents hide during the day and come out at night. Dark shadows roam the streets after the sun sets for the evenings. Dead bodies roll in with the tides and settle in the white sand. Beach communities have the sunshine during the day and trade winds at night.The rest of the story could easily be the result of someone’s imagination: my over-active imagination.

What scares you?

Death scares me, but not the type of death in my book. Death by a vampire is a good way for me to deal with my fears. Here’s to the bloodsuckers!

Please share with us the links to your books and your social media sites:

This book, “The Dead Game” would make an excellent horror movie. I just could not get enough of it and would love to see it on the silver screen. In fact, I think it would be even more fantastic in 3 dimensional.

Let me start by saying: I read this in the dark, along with one light on and in a big house. Wait, did I mention I was alone? I might suggest that you might not want to do that. I’m just sayin…

Just let me be frank with you here. Okay, wait. I still want to be me. Here goes. I honestly love watching TV, and I know what would make for a good show or movie. And as I was reading this, I was just so totally freaking out all through it, I could totally visualize everything. I know this book would be amazing as a Movie, you seriously need to read it, because you know it goes. When they turn books into Movies, they ruin them. And if the words are this good, you need to read them now!

Another thing that I loved about this book, was the fact that it is portrayed in Oasis, Florida. As most of you know, I am I currently live in Florida. So I love it when books put Florida, or Ohio on the map, I’m in.

This book, “The Dead Game” has Vampires, Beachfront property, a scary haunted mansion, dead bodies, romance and of course people. What a unique kind of mix.

But let me tell you, never ever go to a place called: “End house” and never attend a party on a Friday night where the invitation envelopes are black. I mean if that doesn’t just say: “It’s going to get weird.” As a warning, then nothing will.

I was so impressed, with “The Dead Game”, I couldn’t put it down. I give it five stars, it was just that exciting. If you’re anything like me, and enjoy horror, with a kick, then you need to read this. And you better be ready to get comfortable, because you’re not going to want to put this book down! It’s just that enjoyable.

Well, before anything else, I will be concentrating on the opportunities offered by being in the ‘Author Spotlight’ for July at #RRBC (Rave Reviews Book Club). It is a huge privilege for me to be chosen and came as a real surprise as I only regard myself to be a part-time writer and editor. As I am in between contracts for my day job at the moment, this gives me more time to promote my writing and also concentrate on writing my next book.

The 2017 Travel Stories Competition (500-1000 words) will run until July 31st 2017. The winners will be chosen by an independent panel of judges and announced early in September. The 2017 Travel Highlights Competition (50-100 words) will then run from mid-September until mid-November, with winners being selected by a public vote in the last two weeks of November. I will then select the best stories and highlights from both competitions. These will be included in a 2018 Edition of the Travel Stories and Highlights book and should be released early in the New Year.

As a special offer to readers of this blog, I would like to offer you a free copy of the 2017 Edition of the Kindle version of Travel Stories and Highlights (normally $2.99) if you sign up to the Fred’s Blog Newsletter. Follow the link to sign up and I will send you regular updates on the competitions and news about upcoming releases.

I have started work on a new memoir but I am making slow progress. It is about the first time I left England on my own and spent the summer season of 1977 working and partying on the island of Ibiza in Spain. This is more difficult to write than when I self-published Fred’s Diary 1981. For this book I do not have a handwritten diary to fall back on. I do, however, have the letters that were written to me while I was there. These are helping me bring back memories and create a timeline of when things happened.

In the past I have been more of a diarist or a memoirist, as well as an editor and proof-reader, rather than an accomplished author. I am having to get my head round a completely new skill set and learn the art of creative writing.

This may be a risk at such an early stage of the new book, but I am including a small extract below of what I have written so far. Your feedback and constructive criticism would be welcome (please e-mail me at fd81@assl.co.uk).

The ferry edged its way from the berth and headed for the harbour entrance. In the early evening light the clouds lifted, and the sun appeared on the horizon for a few minutes. Through the descending gloom I could make out the famous white cliffs of Dover as we left the shores of England.

The seas were choppy, and the wind icy as we headed across the channel. I put on a jumper and buttoned up my denim jacket. Determined to stay on deck, I enjoyed the feel of the wind that blew against my face and through my hair. A surge of elation swept over me as I realised that my dream had come true.

I did not hear her approach as I had become absorbed in my own thoughts. It took a few seconds to realise she had spoken.

‘Hi, how are you doing, where are you heading?’

She was taller than me and several years older. Long blond hair wrapped itself around her shoulders and her pale blue eyes glistened as she looked at me.

I averted my gaze for a moment before smiling back,

‘Hi, sorry, I didn’t realise you were there. I’m travelling to Barcelona by coach and then getting a ferry across to Ibiza.’

‘What are you planning to do there?’

‘I’m hoping to work for the season in a place called Es Cana.’

‘Is this the first time you’ve worked abroad?’

‘Yes, I’ve just finished work at a bank in London. Where are you heading? Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’

‘Everyone one calls me Micky, but my real name is Michelle. I’m off to Barcelona. We’re on the same bus. I saw you earlier on and thought, as you are on your own, you’d appreciate company. I’m an English teacher returning to the school where I work, after an Easter break back at home in Bristol.’

Micky edged closer as if to get extra protection against the biting wind.

‘And what’s your name?’

‘Most people I know call me Fred.’

‘Is that a nickname then?’

‘Yes, I got it at school and it’s stuck since then. My mates call me Fred though my real name is Robert.’

Her eyes widened,

‘You seem more like Fred than Robert.’

I smiled back,

‘How long have you worked in Barcelona?’

‘Just under a year. I finished Teacher Training College in 1976, not long after Franco died in November 1975. Spain was a country that had always interested me. When I saw an advertisement in the paper for a teaching position there, I jumped at the chance and applied straight away. After an interview in London I got the job.’

‘Are you enjoying it?’

‘On the whole, yes. Spain is changing fast after forty years of dictatorship, but people’s attitudes will take longer to change. Life for a female is still difficult. I am lucky they take care of me while at the school but things can be awkward outside sometimes.’

‘Do you ever regret doing it?’

‘No, not at all. Travel gives you a new outlook on life. You’ll discover that for yourself this summer. That is as long as you don’t weaken and I don’t think you will Fred.’

‘Thanks Micky, that’s nice of you.’

The loud sound of the ship’s siren broke the atmosphere for a moment. The ferry had arrived at the port of Calais.

Micky gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and winked at me,

‘I’ll see you back on the bus, take care.’

‘Yes, great to meet you, see you later.’

What a lovely surprise, I thought as I smoked a quick cigarette before my return to the coach.

Born in Leicester, UK in 1955, Robert’s family moved to Surrey when he was 11. He was educated at Reigate Grammar School. After this he worked at a bank in London for several years before getting the travel bug. Fred, a nickname he got at school, stuck throughout his travels and has remained with him to this day. His travels took him to Ibiza for the summer of 1977, hitch-hiking around Europe in 1978 and the USA and Canada in 1979. During this time he also settled and worked in Germany. Fred’s Diary 1981 was written during the 158 days he spent travelling around Asia.

These days Robert is happily settled in Eastbourne, East Sussex where he lives with his wife and three cats. He works as a software consultant and has been able to combine work with some travel during the past fifteen years, having visited countries as far apart as Australia, Singapore, Ghana and Suriname.

THE DEAD GAME A Review To Die For

Santa’s Little Authors Giveaway

Susanne Leist is the author of The Dead Game, a supernatural thriller with mystery and romance. She graduated with an MBA in finance. Her life has led her through the hectic commodities market and the number-crunching field of budgeting, but she always continued to read and daydream...which led to the fulfillment of her dream to put one of her stories on paper for everyone to enjoy. She lives on Long Island with her husband, two daughters, and Maltese dog.